Virginia Highlands and Murphy's

This past weekend, we made a trip down to Atlanta to go to a baseball game and to just basically have a family get-away. I forget every. single. time how close Atlanta really is to Knoxville. You know it's only a three hour drive! Same as Nashville. So it's not an exhausting little weekend drive to make. Atlanta reminds me a lot of Austin, Texas when we lived there. The parks are great, the restaurants superb, the neighborhoods quaint and hopping, and there is never a lack for anything to do. We stayed in midtown Atlanta Friday night and could see Piedmont Park from our window. On our way out Saturday morning, I snapped the photo below as they were setting up for some kind of fair. I secretly wished we could have stopped to see what that was all about.

 But we had bigger, more important plans on our agenda. It was breakfast time, and since we were all starving, heading to our planned food stop was of utmost importance. Howie and I have a friend from college who lives in Atlanta and who recommended that we try Murphy's in Virginia Highlands for breakfast. As quoted by Greg, "The Flying Biscuit is way overrated! Murphy's is much better!" Really?! Murphy's was a must stop place then if it were better than The Flying Biscuit. I still dream of those grits and biscuits we had back in April.

 So we found our way to Murphy's. I must say I was in love at first site when we entered into the neighborhood in which Murphy's resides. Bungalow/cottage style houses abound and everyone is out running and walking the dog and generally looking happy on a Saturday morning. It was the neighborhood of my dreams. I saw at least 100 houses that I knew I must have and would move into today if we were actually moving to Atlanta. But I digress.

 So with a quick I-was-actually-here photo op, the girls, Howie and I stepped into the ultimate breakfast place in Atlanta with high hopes of cheese grits, french toast, biscuits, and poached eggs.

 Our hopes were not dashed as we were served delicious french toast and cheese grits, pancakes, salmon poached eggs, fruit, and morning glory muffins and biscuits. YUMMMMMMMMM!

I think the thing that I enjoyed the most about Murphy's was just the atmosphere and being in the neighborhood of Virginia Highlands. It felt like we lived there too instead of being out-of-towners just in for the weekend. After leaving Murphy's we headed into Buckhead to make a quick stop at Trader Joe's for 159 cans of coffee beans and then we headed downtown to the baseball game. Yes, Howie sported his Mets shirt as you all know he loves his New York Mets. I on the other hand wore a classy red sailor jacket and jeans to support the Braves. I am a Georgia born girl after all, so I am a Braves fan. At least it makes the game more interesting when Howie and I are rooting for opposing teams. More to come on our quick weekend Atlanta trip soon.

Cherished Playthings

When I was a little girl, I use to love playing in the attic with my mom and Aunt Brenda and Aunt Linda's dolls and toys. They had beautiful dolls and I thought they were wonderful with their old fashioned dresses and construction. I cherished those dolls and toys and still have them, placed gently away. 

Some of the toys that belonged to my mom and aunts though, I have used to decorate Emma-Caroline and Sophie's rooms.

My mom's old sock monkey has always held a place of honor on the pink shelf in Sophie's room.

My girls have continued the tradition of playing with their mommy's dolls and toys like my favorite "Ellie Phant." I am happy to say that each of my own cherished dolls and kept toys and books is now cherished by another generation. Both Emma-Caroline and Sophie also have a small pink ceramic baby shoe that belonged to their Great Aunts. I like having things like toys that were cherished by anothor. I  also like that my own girls have toys from yesteryear that have been handed down to them that they appreciate, play with and cherish.

Bringing in Fall

There are really no words adequate enough to explain my sheer feeling of joy and delight to see the first signs that Fall is fast approaching. The air feels crisper, the sky is bluer, the world is a happy place as nature pulls out all the stops for it's grand finale of the seasonal year.

 I truly love all seasons and feel blessed that I live in an area of the country in which I can experience each and every one. I like change and feel renewed with the passing of each season into the next. This love, or need for change is perhaps the reason I did not enjoy living in Phoenix, Arizona.

 I have always said that the desert is a great place to visit, but living in it was an entirely depressing experience for me. I will take my seasons and all that goes with it including the bitter cold, the extreme heat, and the inevitable allergies.

 It's worth it to have a chance to partake in all the seasons have to offer. I hope that fall finds you also with a sense joy, excitement and renewal.

Care Free!

This past weekend we spent some time as a family in Atlanta. The girls had a marvelous time running and playing and simply being care free in the time before going to The World of Coke Cola. They could entertain each other for hours with nothing but their imaginations. Ah to be a kid again!

Fuzzy Wuzzy

What's For Breakfast?

Checking In

I am thoroughly impressed with Ms. Ellison's use of technology in the classroom. Again, I will say that we feel super blessed that she is Emma-Caroline's teacher this year. Each morning, Emma-Caroline goes to the computer to place a digital gumball in the gumball machine to say that she is present. This is just one of many ways in which Ms. Ellison has the children using technology all throughout the day.

Self Portrait

Look closely, and I think you'll see it!

Singing in the Choir

This past weekend was a whirlwind of activities at The Avery House. With my job at my church, I help to coordinate the children's Sunday School program including teacher and assistant training, schedules, etc. as well as weekly lesson plans. Saturday was a big training day for teachers and assistants, and Sunday was our Rally Day in which we had a big festival of fun activities to kick off the start of our Sunday School year. Rally Day was a huge success and we all had a wonderful and exciting time. But the highlight of our weekend was Emma-Caroline becoming an official member of the choir at our church.

 I was very proud of her going to the choir room before services to put on her robe and to prepare without so much as a whine that she didn't want to do it. She is very serious about her role as a member of the choir and she did a wonderful job. Our Director of Music at the church is amazing and Emma-Caroline has already learned so much from him. He also played the organ instrumentals at our wedding, so we are thrilled to also have Mr. Garvey as Emma-Caroline's choir director. It all just comes full circle and is such a moment of happiness and amazement. We look forward to hearing our girl sing each Sunday as she continues as a member of the choir.

Rally Day 2011

Rally Day at our church and others traditionally marks the beginning of the Sunday School year. It's a time for fun and a chance to "rally" all the parishioners for another year of excitement and fun in learning about God's love for us and how we can serve him. I have always loved Rally Day at our church and thought this year's was one of the best we've ever had. A skit written by our very own Bettie Corey was performed based off of the Winnie the Pooh movie. There was a live band, dunking booth, giant slide and great food! We all had a wonderful time enjoying the festivities. Here's a look at the fun had by all!

Our Nation's Everyday Heros

Knoxville's Everyday Heroes (Reposted from February 2011)

In my travels around
town this past week, I found myself in the same parking lot or next to the same
parking space as some of Knoxville's heroes, the police force and fire
department.

 After taking photos of their vehicles,
much to the surprise of one of my neighbors (Emily), I began thinking about how
fortunate we are in the United States to have these fine people who put their
lives at risk each day in order to serve us.

 After the great tragedy of 911, the
fire departments and police force of America was given high praise and honors
greatly deserved. And although we have not forgotten the sacrifices of these
great men and women, sometimes we do take for granted the awesome service these
two organizations give to us each and every day.

 In appreciation of both the Police Force and Fire Department
of Knoxville ,I am linking to the history of each. I also am very grateful to
all those who serve in the Police Force and Fire Departments across our nation.
We are blessed by you for your service.

Gearing Up For Sunday School

Gearing up for the start of Sunday School is like planing for the beginning of the regular school year. There's the planning, and the room arrangement, and the gathering of materials, and the registration of children, and finally the open house. It's a lot of preparation but definitely worth every bit of energy that goes into it. I am very excited to be teaching Sunday School again this year and can't wait to get started next week! I am even more excited because Emma-Caroline will be in my class! During our open house, I snapped photos of everyone for a special bulletin board. Under the florescent lights, I had to switch to auto mode on my camera to get a decent lighting. Here are Emma-Caroline and Sophie's beginning of Sunday School photos for 2011.

Door to Door Sales Girl

Knox County would be alarmed if they thought I was actually sending my six year old daughter out door to door to sell School Coupon Books. No, we just rely on Daddy's salesman expertise to get the job done. So far, Emma-Caroline is off to a good start in the quest to sell the most school coupon books at her school. I don't want to break it to her, but I think the kid whose dad was standing with him at Kroger selling coupon books may actually beat her to the prize. But a little girl can dream, can't she! Here's her expression when Howie told her how many she (or he) had already sold at work! Gotta love sales!

Rain, and More Rain!

I have decided for the 3094 time to not trust the weather man here in Knoxville. Who actually does trust what the weather person says any way, except maybe those who live in Phoenix, Arizona. Our local dude has told us for three straight days that we are going to have a cease in the rain and a return of sunny skies with mild temps in the 80's. Yeah right! We have had nothing but rain. I am not bothered by the rain, but I would have liked to have worn my rain boots instead of sandals the last few days. I guess I should have checked for myself before trusting the weather man and heading out the door unprepared.

Raindrops on Roses

These are a few of my favorite things!

Singing in the Rain!

Today, Emma-Caroline woke up, pulled her rain boots on, grabbed her umbrella and headed out doors. You would think we had not seen rain in several years. It had been a while since Knoxville had received nice soaking all day rainy weather. The girls took advantage of this nice change of pace and played outdoors for a while, all before breakfast. We're all happy for the rain and cooler temperatures. Now let's bring on the fall!

Come Hell or High Water!

The first home game for the 2011 Tennessee Football Season almost did not happen. We arrived at Neyland Stadium in the middle of one of the hottest days of the summer, stood in line for longer than any of us could ever remember standing in line to see a Vol football game, felt like perhaps we were in Hell with the pushing and the shoving and the unbearable heat, nearly got struck out of our seats by fierce bolts of lightening striking through the sky, and almost saw our stadium flooded with torrential swirling rain that drenched the the field and fans alike. To say that the 2011 Tennessee football season was going to begin come hell or high water is an understatement. Despite the very strange occurrence in weather patterns, before, during and after the game, the Vols got off to a great start with a win against Montana. Go Vols!

Tennesssee Tailgating

A football game is not a football game unless there is a little tailgating involved, or in the case of this particular football game, a little housegating. For the 2nd year in a row, the Taylor's invited us to the opening Tennessee football game. We had a fabulous time before the game having a grand feast on Calhoun's barbecue and other fixin's right in the comfort of the Taylor's house. Vaiden marked it a success and I think has decided to "Housegate" before home games from now on.

Go Vols!

We're coming on the first weekend in September which means we are also coming on the first home football game here in Rocky Top Tennessee for the 2011 season. Knoxville becomes a sea of orange and white when it is "Football Time in Tennessee" all in support of our very dear Vols. Emma-Caroline came home last night all excited that it was time for her to wear orange to school. I had a book club meeting last night, so I didn't put the girls to bed, but Howie said Emma-Caroline put her Tennessee cheer leading outfit on over her pajamas just to be ready for orange and white day at school. She didn't get to wear the cheer leading outfit because I wasn't sure if that was appropriate attire for school, but we did dress in other UT orange wear and she looked just as cute. Ms. Ellison posed with Emma-Caroline for a school pic of the first orange and white day at school. We will head to the game tomorrow to watch Smokey the dog and all the football Volunteers start this season's tradition of "Football Time in Tennessee!" Go Vols!

The Last Four Months

For those of you who have kept up with my daily progress as I have plugged along with my 365 project, I thank you. You may have noticed, however, that I have not always met my post date each and every day. I realized a little while ago that even though I may not get that post cranked out each night, I am not hurting the integrity of my project by back posting. I am, after all, taking photos every day and that is the actual point, right? On another note, when I began this project in January, I did not have a job which competes for my time along with my family on a daily basis. I am not begrudging of my new job in the least, it is just very demanding at the current time with Sunday School gearing back up soon. On top of everything, my computer has died (sound the bugle play of Taps). I am therefore relegated to Howie's office computer during the hours he is not in the house. So, there you go! I am still here and still plugging away at the 365 Project for the next four months until the bitter or ( more optimistically) glorious end!